National

Border workers who nearly went on strike in June ratify new contract

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Jul, 2024 01:13 PM

The union representing Canada's border workers says members have voted 91 per cent in favour of a new collective agreement.

More than 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency workers were planning job action in June but the strike was averted when a tentative agreement was reached with the federal government.

The vote solidifies the new collective agreement preventing a strike which could have brought commercial border traffic to a standstill and caused major delays across the country.

Key issues included pay parity with other law enforcement agencies, flexible telework and remote work options, pension benefits and stronger workplace protections.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says the new agreement will expire in 2026.

It says the deal includes a wage increase that exceeds increases at other law enforcement agencies, more protections against technological change, and improvements involving shift scheduling and leave.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Stung by criticism, Ottawa to give $1M to support victims of sexual violence by Hamas

Ottawa has not said which groups will receive the $1 million, nor when. Canada is also offering RCMP support for investigations, though it's unclear whether Israeli officials have made any specific request. Joly announced the measures on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, saying the funding is for "organizations who are supporting survivors of sexual violence committed by Hamas."

Stung by criticism, Ottawa to give $1M to support victims of sexual violence by Hamas

Surrey hospital to get critical care tower with acute, specialized services

Premier David Eby says the B.C. government has plans underway to build a new critical care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital, adding capacity for surgical, pediatric, perinatal, women's health, mental health and stroke care. Eby says Surrey's health-care services need to grow along with its population.

Surrey hospital to get critical care tower with acute, specialized services

Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens say they feel happy or peaceful when they don't have their phones with them, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. In a survey published Monday, Pew also found that despite the positive associations with going phone-free, most teens have not limited their phone or social media use.

Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds

B.C. begins offering in-province immunotherapy treatment for lymphoma, leukemia

British Columbia is beginning to offer an immunotherapy cancer treatment in the province for some patients who haven't had success with standard chemotherapy or radiation. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell Therapy, commonly referred to as CAR-T, treats lymphoma and leukemia by collecting a patient's white blood cells and genetically engineering them to recognize and kill cancer cells.

B.C. begins offering in-province immunotherapy treatment for lymphoma, leukemia

Families who rescued loved ones from Gaza feel 'scammed' by Canadian government

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has been vocal about his frustration at Canada's impotence when it comes to facilitating the crossing of approved family members into Egypt. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the delays experienced by people who managed to escape on their own.

Families who rescued loved ones from Gaza feel 'scammed' by Canadian government

'Clean slate' to reshape B.C. wine industry, after climate-related catastrophes

The heart of British Columbia's wine industry is reeling after suffering a litany of climate-related hits, resulting in two years of crop losses in the southern Interior. Record-breaking heat. Wildfires and smoke that repeatedly contaminated grapes. A destructive cold snap in 2022. Then, the hammer blow — another deep freeze this January that is estimated to have inflicted up to 99 per cent crop loss across the province, wiping out this year's vintage.